The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Irving N. Syrene (ASN: 13072489), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 3 October 1944, near ****, Holland. Staff Sergeant Syrene, S-2 Section, Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, successfully led a reconnaissance patrol in preparation for a combat raid to be conducted that night. While on this patrol he observed a wire concertina directly in the route of march of the combat patrol. After he had reported his information, Staff Sergeant Syrene volunteered to remove the obstacle. At H-5 minutes, during an artillery preparation of the objective, he raced forward into the barrage and removed the concertina with his hands. During this action four shells came so close to him that they completely lifted him off his feet and penetrated his clothing in several places. Having removed the obstacle he joined the combat patrol and personally captured one prisoner. As a direct result of his action several prisoners were captured and the combat raid was successfully accomplished with reduced casualties. Staff Sergeant Syrene’s aggressiveness and determination to accomplish his mission was in keeping with the high traditions of the American Parachutists.